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We are excited to do a weekly feature on the honorees for the upcoming Celebration of Service Event, coming up on May 27!At this annual event, United Way of Salt Lake has the great privilege to honor outstanding individuals and organizations in our neighborhoods and communities. These people and organizations are truly making a difference, proving every day what it means to LIVE UNITED. The honorees of the 2015 Celebration of Service awards are committed to working with United Way of Salt Lake to solve our communities’ toughest challenges. They engage their will, passion, expertise, and resources to improve lives and build a stronger community for us all.

We hope you will join us in celebration of their contributions at this fun and inspiring event!

This week, we are thrilled to announce Allen Alexander, Former Chairman & CEO, Savage, as our Compassionate Leader of the Year.

This award acknowledges the outstanding efforts of individuals or organizations that have committed a significant amount of their time and talents, along with personal and/or corporate resources, to fulfilling United Way of Salt Lake’s mission. This is UWSL’s highest honor to those who give tirelessly to advance our work.

Allen Alexander is an extraordinary leader who exemplifies outstanding dedication to improving our community through his involvement with United Way of Salt Lake. Former Chairman and CEO of Savage, Allen invests his passion and expertise to advance the mission of United Way of Salt Lake and to inspire his colleagues to share the vision of improving communities through meaningful and measurable change. Allen recently completed his term as Chair of United Way Salt Lake’s Board of Directors. He has served as a member of the Board and Executive Committee of UWSL for seven years, and also on several other committees within the organization. Allen is a steadfast supporter and key strategist of United Way of Salt Lake’s Collective Impact efforts. He and his wife, Denise, lead by example—making both a personal investment in the Changing the Odds campaign and volunteering directly in United Way of Salt Lake Promise Partnership communities. At Savage, a company he led and worked for 37 years, Allen created a culture of caring and sharing, where employees commit to volunteering as readers, mentors, or tutors in United Way of Salt Lake Community Schools, in addition to giving of their financial resources.

Because of his generous spirit and exemplary leadership, United Way of Salt Lake is thrilled to recognize Allen Alexander as our 2015 Compassionate Leader of the Year.

Power of your purse 2014, was indeed powerful! The night had excellent entertainment and speakers. It was inspirational getting to know more about Women’s Leadership Council and they work members do to improve educational opportunities for girls and young women.

It began with some Polynesian dancing from students at Kearns High School, a United Way of Salt Lake Community School, which is always a favorite of mine and my family’s to watch.

The night also included the wonderful Jane Pauley, as the keynote speaker. Although she had many memorable quotes, two in particular stood out.

“Because of the difference this generation is making, Salt Lake will be a better place”.

I believe I have heard that many times in my life, but at Power of Your Purse it really stood out to me. I was able to see the difference that women were making in our community first-hand, as well learning about what has helped several young high schools students succeed as they spoke about their struggles and triumphs.

One of the most powerful things that Jane Pauley said was:

“Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to keep looking for it”.

Another speaker that night, Maryam Pedraza, recognized the teacher who made a difference in her life. While reflecting about the trials she had to overcome as a refugee student from Iran, she said, “let us remember one book, one pen, one teacher can change the world!” This one student has become a magnificent adult and leader, and encouraged everyone to get involved in changing the lives of girls and young women through education and mentoring.

I’m so glad I was able to attend this event! I did not know much about the difference Women’s Leadership Council is making right here in Salt Lake. The night was perfectly planned and very enjoyable!

Last week, Savage employees wrapped up another fun-filled campaign to support our community. The world has to know how differently this company and its employees approach Changing the Odds for kids and families! To say they were “committed” would be an understatement.

Savage Services is currently providing over a dozen volunteers per week to tutor exiting ninth graders who are recovering lost academic credit that they need in order to graduate. We’re starting to see some remarkable results and hear some heartwarming stories about their achievement–so plan on a full update here on The Hub, after we have wrapped up the summer tutoring session.

As far as the campaign goes, Savage blew its own records out of the water (no surprise there). I’m talking bytens of thousands of dollars, people! Part of that is due to the generous employees, who proudly exclaim that 100% of the company participates; it doesn’t matter how much you give, but that you’re all giving together to make a difference. Another big part of that increase is due to the corporate match of employee gifts, which is a remarkable $2 for every $1 pledged!

But hey, it’s always nice when the company kicks back a few prizes for donating, too. Savage didn’t hold back when they raffled off tickets to shows, Jazz suites, vacations up the canyon, and the most coveted parking spaces in the front row of the parking lot!

Thank you — to all the Savage donors, advocates, and volunteers! This community is lucky to have your ongoing support. You are all an outstanding example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Tuesday, May 20, United Way of Salt Lake held its annual Celebration of Service event at the Little America Hotel. Over 680 guests attended to honor outstanding individuals and organizations with UWLS’s highest awards for their consistent commitment to our community. United Way of Salt Lake also presented its Annual Report to the Community, which you can HERE>>

The honorees of the 2014 Celebration of Service awards are committed to working with United Way of Salt Lake to solve our communities’ toughest challenges. They engage their will, expertise, and resources to improve lives and build a stronger community for us all. These individuals and organizations multiply the impact United Way of Salt Lake has on our community. They are dedicated to working with us to fulfill our promise to change the odds so all children and families, regardless of their circumstances, have the same chance to succeed in school and life. Thanks to their efforts, we are creating lasting changes that are positively impacting lives today and for generations to come.

2014 Celebration of Service honorees are as follows:

Promise Partner of the Year:Voices for Utah Children

Volunteer of the Year:Craig Wagstaff

Corporate Partner of the Year:Workers Compensation Fund

President’s Award for Excellence:Representative Greg Hughes

Compassionate Leader of the Year:Michael Weinholtz

For those who have been watching our blog posts about the BMW finalists, you will be happy to know that we have a winner! Each finalist was given a key to try in the new BMW-the key that was able to start the car won! A big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Blake Facer from Zions Bank on his new one-year lease on the BMW 3 Series, courtesy of BMW of Murray, and a free year of gas, courtesy of Tesoro! Thank you to BMW of Murray and Tesoro for being a part of this amazing giveaway!

This month on The Hub, we are excited to do a weekly feature on our honorees for our upcoming Celebration of Service event on Tuesday, May 20! This yearly event is when United Way of Salt Lake has the great privilege to honor outstanding individuals and organizations in our neighborhoods and communities. These people and organizations are truly making a difference, proving every day what it means to LIVE UNITED. We hope you will join us as we celebrate their contributions at this fun and inspiring event (to RSVP and find out more info, click the link above)

This week, we are thrilled to announce our 2014 Volunteer of the Year: Craig Wagstaff!

The volunteer of the year is an enthusiastic individual who shows commitment to our community and United Way of Salt Lake’s mission through extraordinary volunteer service.

United Way of Salt Lake is extremely grateful to have Craig Wagstaff as one of our most engaged and passionate volunteers. Craig has led United Way of Salt Lake’s 2-1-1 Steering Council for the past two years. Because of his engagement, 2-1-1 has made significant progress including: expanding its hours to accommodate callers 24/7, creating a vital partnership with the state, and is working to become nationally accredited through the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). Year in and year out, Craig continually spearheads Questar’s successful workplace campaigns, rallying hundreds of employees who help contribute to United Way’s mission in numerous ways. He has generously shared his expertise, vision, and leadership with United Way of Salt Lake as an active member of our Board of Directors. Questar is also a sponsor of United Way’s Live United advertising, and has been extremely supportive in all marketing efforts, including sponsoring many local events. Craig’s long-term leadership is a significant driver behind much of Questar’s support of United Way of Salt Lake.

As one of United Way of Salt Lake’s greatest cheerleaders and supporters, it is with great appreciation and gratitude that we honor Craig Wagstaff as our 2014 Volunteer of the Year.

This month on The Hub, we are excited to do a weekly feature on the honorees for the upcoming Celebration of Service event on Tuesday, May 20! This yearly event is when United Way of Salt Lake has the great privilege to honor outstanding individuals and organizations in our neighborhoods and communities. These people and organizations are truly making a difference, proving every day what it means to LIVE UNITED. We hope you will join us in celebration of their contributions at this fun and inspiring event (to RSVP and find out more info, click the link above).

This week, we are thrilled to announce the Promise Partner of the Year: Voices for Utah Children!

This award recognizes partners that work together with United Way of Salt Lake to achieve greater impact in the community. These partners work across community sectors and have committed to a joint approach to community problem solving that requires a shared vision and shared community goals.

Voices for Utah Children works to make Utah a place where all children thrive. Voices has been a United Way of Salt Lake partner for many years. This organization has been especially vital as United Way continues to work to evaluate and expand access to high-quality preschool programs. Voices for Utah Children was instrumental conducting research on cohorts of children in Granite School District and assisting with efforts to pass preschool legislation for the past two years. Due much in part to the help of Voices for Utah Children, HB96, the Utah School Readiness Initiative, was passed this legislative session and will expand access to high-quality preschool to thousands of at-risk Utah kids. Voices for Utah Children has made an incredible difference by raising awareness, influencing policy, and helping unite our community.

Because of its dedication to collaboration and community change, United Way of Salt Lake honors Voices for Utah Children as the 2014 Promise Partner of the Year.

This month on The Hub, we are excited to do a weekly feature on the honorees for the upcoming Celebration of Service event on Tuesday, May 20! This yearly event is when United Way of Salt Lake has the great privilege to honor outstanding individuals and organizations in our neighborhoods and communities. These people and organizations are truly making a difference, proving every day what it means to LIVE UNITED. We hope you will join us in celebration of their contributions at this fun and inspiring event (to RSVP and find out more info, click the link above).

This week, we are thrilled to announce the President’s Award for Excellence: Representative Greg Hughes, Utah House of Representatives.

This award recognizes individuals or organizations that champion United Way of Salt Lake’s efforts to create lasting change in our community through their collaboration, leadership, commitment, resources, and time spent working to solve community problems. The award demonstrates outstanding commitment to the mission of United Way of Salt Lake.

To truly solve complex social problems, United Way of Salt Lake works with state leaders to influence public policy decisions. There is no greater example of that collaboration than the work led by Representative Greg Hughes, who sponsored and helped pass HB96, the Utah School Readiness Initiative. In collaboration with UWSL and many community partners, Representative Hughes championed the country’s first piece of legislation that creates a pay-for-success model for high-quality preschool. The $3 million secured by Representative Hughes for this initiative will ensure more of Utah’s at-risk, low-income kids start school ready to learn. This innovative post-performance model ensures taxpayer dollars are only spent on programs that get results. Representative Hughes poured his heart and soul into ensuring the passage of HB96 and had tremendous success working with and encouraging his colleagues to pass this important legislation!

It is with great gratitude and admiration that United Way of Salt Lake honors Representative Greg Hughes with the 2014 President’s Award for Excellence!